A majority vote by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) union has cleared the way for industrial action by members next week.

The INTO is protesting about cutbacks which could mean 500 teachers could lose their jobs as well as 1,000 support staff.

The teachers' union says the result of its ballot, which was 84% in favour of strike action, shows the anger of its members against what it calls the "cuts agenda".

The teachers will be called out to strike next Friday, March 13 and to attend demonstrations against the cuts, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The union has almost 7,000 members in Northern Ireland.

Mark Langhammer, Director of ATL in Northern Ireland commented on the outcome of the ballot:“ Teachers pay has reduced in real terms by 12.5% since 2010. The teachers pension ‘reforms’ oblige teachers to pay more, worker longer and get less.

"Thousands of teaching redundancies since 2008, with a further 2500 to come between 2015-19, based on the Chancellors Autumn statement, will intensify workload on the teachers left, and radically narrow the scope of education to pupils. ATL members have said “Enough is Enough” and will now take action from 30 March."

The INTO's Northern Executive will meet on Monday to decide on other action, but a spokesman said that could involve actions which do not harm children's education, such as targeting the Department of Education.